Bike Oxford returns for fifth year

By
John Charlton

The race is on for cycling enthusiasts to secure their place in this year’s annual Bike Oxford ride.

Now in its fifth year, the ride will take place on Sunday 20 May and will once again raise money for the Helen and Douglas House hospice in Oxford and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Individual riders can also nominate their own charity.

This year’s event is championed by national property developer Redrow Homes and will start and end at the Oxford University Rugby Football Club ground on Iffley Road. Riders will have the choice of three new rides – the 25-mile social tailored to novice cyclists and families or the 50 or 80-mile challenge rides for the keener rider – taking a tour of the dreaming spires in the historic centre of Oxford before venturing out into the heart of the Cotswolds and taking in pretty villages steeped in history. Riders will also enjoy some of the region’s finest food and drink at food stations in the villages of Charlbury and Deddington, and at the finish.

Organised by cycling experts Iconic Cycling Events, last year’s Bike Oxford attracted more than1,200 riders from across Oxfordshire and beyond. The ride is supported by Oxford City and Oxfordshire County Council, as well as by local club the Cowley Road Condors.

Helen and Douglas House provide hospice care for terminally ill children, young adults and their families in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. The hospice needs to raise more than £5m a year to cover running costs.

Ronald McDonald House Charities provide accommodation for parents whose children need to stay in hospital. There are 14 Ronald

Dave Bexon, group sales and marketing director at Redrow Homes said: “We strive to incorporate health and well-being into all of our communities so are delighted to champion Iconic Cycling Event’s rides at three fantastic historic locations around the country. We’ve supported Bike Chester for the last two years and are now rolling this out to include its other rides in Oxford and Bath”.

Richard Best, CEO of Iconic Cycling Events, said: “We’re thrilled to have secured the support of Redrow Homes this year. Without the continued enthusiasm from our sponsors and cyclists, Bike Oxford would not have become the event it is today. Now a firm fixture in the cycling enthusiast calendar, I hope we will see even more cyclists turn out this year to enjoy a fantastic day of cycling and to support some very worthy local charities.”

Entry is £36 per ride for the 80 and 50-mile rides or £26 for the 25-mile ride. New to 2018 is a family entry for the 25-mile route at £70 for two adults and two children under 16.